Keeling Curve

Project Summary / Description:

Agriculture is one of the greatest challenges of my generation. According to FAO agriculture is the biggest water pollutant. Approximately 50% of fertilizer is not absorbed by the crops, then it gets washed by rain or irrigation and ends up in rivers, lakes and eventually in the ocean.

We see a great opportunity in taking the nutrients out of the waterways and back into the soil, to recycle the fertilizer. 

We develop decentralized water treatment machines, that recycle the fertilizer on site. 

How does it work? We take the runoff from the farms into a bioreactor.

Where we cultivate Microalgae that absorb the fertilizer present in the water.

When microalgae grow they are harvested and processed, producing new fertilizer. 

This system upcycles the pollution. It cleans the water while creating a new product, the biofertilizer.


We are working on the simulation and prototype of the machine. At the same time, we are conducting research on microalgae consortiums and improved efficiency at which microalgae can absorb the excess of nutrients from the water. We have signed a partnership with a research center focused on biotechnology- CINVESTAV-Irapuato. They support the research with hardware and experts.

Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Mission Statement:

We believe that by harnessing nature's wisdom it is possible to clean the water while being profitable. Our mission is to create a circular economy business to transform waste into a resource, to transform runoff into new fertilizer.
Utilizing advance bioengineering and IoT (Internet of things), microTerra develops the technology to harvest fertilizer from polluted water onsite. 

It is indispensable to create new decentralized solutions for both the agricultural industry and water management.

Link: Facebook:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-cuevas-flores-6a86bba3/ http://www.microterra.com.mx